H₂S Exposure in Wellsite Operations
Hydrogen Sulphide

Operating in high H₂S environments presents a major risk of corrosion and mechanical failure for downhole tools. The combination of H₂S, CO₂, and water accelerates degradation, leading to sulphide stress cracking and potential tool failure.
What Makes H₂S So Harmful?
⚠️ Corrosion & Stress Cracking:
- H₂S exposure weakens steel over time.
- Stress cracking can go undetected without non-destructive evaluation (NDE).
🌡️ Influencing Factors:
- Chemical composition, temperature, pressure, and duration of exposure all impact corrosion severity.
Preventing H₂S-Related Failures
✅ Proper Maintenance Procedures:
- Thorough Cleaning: Rinse tools with fresh water immediately after use.
- Drying & Baking: Air dry for 12 hours or bake at 300°F+ to remove residual moisture.
- Inspection & Corrosion Protection: Apply inhibitors and check for embrittlement or cracks.
- NDE Testing: If uncertain, quarantine tools for MPI/NDE assessment before reuse.
💡 Critical Component Awareness:
- Spring disc washers in Accelerators & Power Jars are highly susceptible to H₂S-induced failure. Consider upgrading to ENP-coated or Inconel washers for better durability in hostile environments.
🚨 Why It Matters: Unchecked H₂S exposure leads to unexpected failures, costly downtime, and safety risks. Adopting strict maintenance and inspection protocols ensures operational reliability and tool longevity.
🔧 HALO Intervention – We Get It.